Sometimes, change is optional. Perhaps a situation could stand to improve, but it doesn’t necessarily need to. Other times, it’s imperative. A situation can grow so untenable that it needs to be fixed immediately – at any cost. The NBA is no exception.

The Los Angeles Lakers have reached that point. A 33-win season in 2021-22 was unacceptable by any outcome.

If they enter 2022-23 with the same core group, it will be nothing short of an organizational failure.

Many of their shortcomings had to do with Russell Westbrook’s fit alongside LeBron James.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: 3 Trades The Los Angeles Lakers Should Still Try To Make

Plenty of observers expected them to face issues, but few thought they’d face so many that they wouldn’t even qualify for the play-in tournament.

Here’s a trade with the San Antonio Spurs that ought to get them at least that far in 2022-23.